Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Betulaceae

Genus:

Corylus

Species:

Corylus americana

USDA Symbol:

COAM3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

300 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade,Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

mar,apr

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Reported Fauna Sightings

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, squirrels, small mammals, deer

Fall Color:

yellow, orange

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from the root crown after fire. Historically maintained in open woodlands by periodic fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

good drainage preferred

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

thrives in open woodlands and forest edges

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–120 days

Germination Time:

30–90 days

Notes:

Double dormancy requiring warm stratification (60-90 days) followed by cold stratification (90-120 days). Seeds may take two years to germinate if dormancy not properly broken.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI